Kia Rio Radiator Fan Replacement Cost

Radiators use airflow to cool the engine. The radiator cooling fan is a powerful fan that can create additional airflow when needed.

The engine cooling system uses the radiator to cool the hot engine coolant as it comes from the engine. Hot engine coolant is pumped into the radiator when the thermostat opens, and the radiator sends the coolant through a set of coils to be cooled. The radiator uses airflow to cool the radiator coils, and small metal fins attached to the radiator coils help to increase cooling efficiency. This process occurs the entire time the engine is running, and prevents the vehicle from overheating.

When the radiator fans stop functioning properly, the engine temperature will rise as there will be insufficient airflow to cool the radiator. The spike in temperature will be the highest when the vehicle is idling at a stop light, but should subside once the vehicle begins moving again. Also, the air conditioner may become inefficient, and air from the vents would be warmer than usual. This is because the air from the radiator fans also pull air across the air conditioning condenser, and when they fail, both systems suffer. Lastly, the higher than normal engine temperatures can lead to reduced fuel mileage, and the check engine light with on-board diagnostics (OBD) trouble codes stored in reference to the exhaust system, and engine coolant temperature.

Driving a vehicle with a faulty engine cooling system can result in overheating, cylinder head gasket failure, engine block failure, or cylinder head warping. It is never recommended, or may be impossible to drive a vehicle with engine cooling issues, especially with modern engine casting materials. Additionally, the operating conditions for the engine may cause fouling of the catalyst, and oxygen sensors.

Radiator and air conditioning cooling fans fail, but not at a very high rate. Most vehicles will never need one replaced, but those that do are usually from collisions or engine overheating. The motors are built very well, and they tend to function well for quite some time.

When diagnosing a check engine light in conjunction with overheating, the servicing technician will connect a professional scan tool or computer to the vehicle via the on-board diagnostics port under the dashboard. Reading information stored by the vehicle's computer, and comparing that data to actual conditions will lead the technician to components which he may suspect of failure in short order. This may require mechanical and electrical testing, and will typically take about an hour to prove a guaranteed diagnosis and solution.

Being located directly between the radiator and the engine put the radiator fan in a seemingly difficult place for replacement, but it actually slides out very easily on most vehicles. The battery will be disconnected, then the fan connector will be unplugged, and retaining hardware for the upper fan will be removed prior to sliding the fan out of the top or bottom of the engine bay. Some plastic guards will need to be removed from the undercarriage of the vehicle in order to access any retaining hardware.

There are many universal radiator cooling fans available for purchase, but the reliability of these fans is unknown. It is best to purchase the fan made for the vehicle, which will plug right into the vehicle.

If the radiator fan has failed, excess load is being placed on the A/C fan if the A/C fan is also in front of the radiator. This fan will keep the engine cool, but will be overworked quickly by the higher temperatures present without the radiator fan. When the second fan eventually fails, the engine will overheat anytime the vehicle is driven.

Radiator fan diagnostics will be easy for many people, but a little knowledge of electrical circuits, and when the fan should run, is needed to accurately diagnose the fan. If the fan has been diagnosed as bad, and the repair is done patiently, radiator fan replacement could be a great DIY project.